by Sylvester Obinna | Sep 1, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 1 minute
Do you think you are making better spiritual decisions? Your spirit man is the most important part of your life. Many people take care of other aspects and leave out the spirit man. This ought not to be so.
“The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life, that which is of the natural realm is of no help. The words I speak to you are Spirit and life. But there are still some of you who won’t believe.”
John 6:63 TPT
Your spiritual life is very important to your advancement in life. It’s on it that all other aspects of your life fall in or out of place. Therefore you must ensure that you always make better spiritual decisions.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:63 KJV
The flesh profits nothing. There is no gain in the flesh, so your spiritual
In reviewing your spiritual life, so that you can make better spiritual decisions, ask yourself the following questions
How prayerful was I? How consistent was I in the place of prayers? Did I participate in any fasting programme?
Was I attending Sunday school regularly? Did I read my bible daily? Was I faithful with my offerings and tithe?
These are just some questions that can guide you in making better spiritual decisions in this new month and beyond.
May the Lord guide you. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, I desire to make better spiritual decisions in the month of September. Help and guide me as I do so. Amen.
Action point:
Go through all these questions, add yours to them and answer them as truthfully as you should.
Declaration:
I am making better spiritual decisions by the help of the Holy Spirit.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Aug 31, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Have you seen couples married for over 15 years? One thing that strikes you is that they begin to look alike. There’s just something that makes them closer and begins to look alike. Well, it’s not a fast and hard rule that couples who have been together for years should look alike.
I guess that is the reason why the bible says, the two shall become one flesh. I guess they truly become one flesh in the real sense of the word. The truth is that, if you want to remain close and knitted together, there are some things you should be doing on a regular basis. It keeps you together.
I would try and mention 10 of those things. You can add up to this list but just make sure in your own relationship you have found what it is that draws you closer to each other.
1. Eat together on one plate or on the dinner table.
This may not be suitable for every couple. Some may not like it, but this has helped keep couples together.
2. Go to church together in the same car.
It may be a time of bonding for couples who may have been busy throughout the week and have more than 1 car.
3. Go to the same church and have the same pastor and mentor.
They hear and drink from the same spiritual source and hear the same instructions about fasting, giving which normally could cause discord in marriage.
4. Have same friends, go to the same functions and ceremonies together.
Couples stay closer when they unwind together by having the same friends and attend parties together.
5. They sleep in the same room on the same bed.
Couples are known to look alike the more they sleep together and share the same room.
6. They have regular intercourse together.
This is known to bind them together and is the real thing that makes them get closer and look alike.
7. They Laugh, dance, sing and play games together.
The more couples recreate together, the more the bond between them gets stronger.
8. They overcome their challenges together.
When couples face problems and pass through challenging situations together, it draws them closer to each other.
9. When couples bathe together.
It is a form of being naked and not ashamed, it draws couples together.
10. Study their bibles together and pray together.
When couples do spiritual activities together they tend to grow fond of each other and grow to look alike.
It is like the triangle of marriage. God is at the tip or top, husband and wife are at the two sides. The more they go after God, the closer they become. The more they draw away from God, the more they grow apart.
Make God or godly principles your priority and you will grow closer as a couple.
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
As couples, we grow closer as the day goes by.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help us to do things that will draw us closer to each other.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Gen 2:25 ‘And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed.”
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Get closer to your spouse
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Isaiah 31 – 34
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 31, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
There are several gateways to a man’s spirit. These gateways are like large open doors through which good or bad spirits can access our inner man. I believe it is to this intent that the scripture says:
Pro 4:23 (KJV)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
The heart has to be kept with security systems that would prevent unsolicited access into your heart. The gateways in every man include the mouth gate, the eye gate, the ear gate, and nose gate.
This morning, I want to say a few words as it relates to the eye gate and relationships.
The Bible actually talks a lot about being cautious with what we see. One such scripture can be found in:
Job 31:1 (KJV)
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Job had to come to a point in his life and he realized his eyes are going to get him into serious trouble. So he dealt with his eyes in order to deal with his thoughts. His eye gate was feeding his thought life and those thoughts were far from healthy.
He knew if he was going to be okay, he had to make decisions. And that is what you will need to do too, you will need to make decisions!
Jesus even elaborated more here:
Mat 5:28 (KJV)
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Just having a deliberate lustful look, Jesus said it’s the same as an adulterous sin.
What do you do?
You see, the first look is not always a sin or any trouble. It is the second, third and perpetual look that becomes the problem. It’s when you start thinking on or meditating on an unhealthy sight that issues begin to rear their heads. The solution is simple, like Job, you must make a decision and deliberately refuse to look at whatever is going to feed your weaknesses.
I pray that today will be a great day in your life, even as you make those decisions.
Be blessed!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am deliberate with what I see
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Ask for the grace not to feed your weakness.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Job 31:1 (MSG)”I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Watch what you see!
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Job 31
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 31, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
As the month comes to an end, it’s a good idea to review how you spent it. Doing this helps you make better decisions in life. It also helps you know what you have accomplished in different areas of your life and how to improve.
Imagine just living life without improving. These improvements can only happen when you have periodic reviews of your life and time spent.
The review can come weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or yearly, so that you can examine yourself and make better decisions.
Ps 90:12 (NIV)Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
A heart of wisdom is only possible when you number your days aright. This is achieved with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t think only adults do this. You will reach adulthood someday and developing this habit early will positively impact your life. Not only does it show how well you fared, but it also helps you plan ahead for the new month. By so doing, you make better decisions and move forward in your life.
Look at the way message translation puts it.
Ps 90:12 (MSG) Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!
When you take proper inventory of several segments of your life, you will know how to live well.
Make it a habit to take a review of your life from time to time, and then take better decisions from the review.
Tomorrow we will look at how to do this in every area of your life. Don’t miss it!
God bless!
Prayer:
Lord, guide me as I take stock of this month. Help me see where I need to improve on in the coming month, and help me to be sincere enough to accept it. Help me make better decisions LORD. Amen.
Action point:
List out areas of your life and start to review them. Tell your friends about it too. Involve your parents too, so they help out.
Declaration:
God helps me to take stock of my life in Jesus name.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 30, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Opposite, they say, will always attract. That has been found to be true, always and at all times. God is a God of varieties. God’s own way of ensuring that you don’t get so bored in marriage is that opposite will attract.
The reason you fell in love most of the time is because there is something you saw that you don’t have.
God in His wisdom, sovereignty and divine love, intends that your spouse will have strength in the area where you have weaknesses, and you will have strength in the area where your spouse has weaknesses.
The strengths versus weaknesses tango will then create a balance, so that the children can be properly and emotionally developed.
Won’t it really be very odd for husband and wife to have same weaknesses?
So opposite will attract. Your lover will reason and think differently from you, mostly.
These opposites that attract, however, will also now be the very thing that will cause irritations when the love euphoria dies down.
It is at this point that most relationships get broken, because they did not understand why they have been so different, without knowing that the very difference is what they need to create a beautiful balance and be able to have a matured marital experience.
So, do not despise your differences in any way, rather celebrate those differences because that is what will bring balance into the relationship and eventually your marriage.
The opposite ways will definitely bring different opinions, reasonings and conclusions, but you must be matured enough not to mute your spouse but rather create an enabling environment for expressions in the relationship and marriage.
Work on your strengths by maximizing them. Work on your weaknesses by minimizing them!
May God grant you more understanding.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am different. I am unique. I am special.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to accept the fact that we are made to be different.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Study a book on temperament to know why you are different
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Rom 4
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 30, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Its possible to enjoy your marriage. In marriage, there are pressures. Pressures of raising a family, of taking care of your spouse, of taking care of the children, of paying bills, and many more. All these are coupled with pressures from work and career. If one is not careful, marriage will be one strenuous, stressful and tiring adventure.
It is deliberately then, that you have to decide to live life to the fullest. You just have to make up your mind that in the midst of all the pressures, there will be pleasures. It is a decision to remain joyful irrespective of whatever situation you might be going through. You simply make up your mind to defuse pressures with laughter, for laughter doeth well like medicine
Pro 17:22 (MSG)
A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
Having a depressing disposition, unhappy tendencies, habitual despondency, uncontrollably bad moods are enough to leave the bones tired.
Since you have to cook anyway, why not decide to cook while enjoying yourself
Since you are going to wash the car, decide to wash while having a nice time.
Since the kids would always be around and going nowhere, enjoy yourselves and let them enjoy themselves too.
Doing things grumbling, complaining, and being unhappy in marriage is self-punishment. Decide to enjoy yourselves as a couple. Satisfy each other right into the bedroom!
I pray for your marriage, God will help you indeed in Jesus name. At every point of pressure, God will bring succor, His healing balm, and restore you in Jesus name.
Your marriage is blessed!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I choose to enjoy my marriage
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, take away every foolishness from our home
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Php 1:9 (KJV)And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray in the Spirit
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Exodus 25 – 27
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 30, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
You must learn to be courageous little ones. Sometimes you might feel afraid to do something because you are afraid of failing or being mocked, but the verse below tells you to do otherwise.
Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Fear is part of life, but it is not supposed to stop us from doing what we are supposed to do. Especially as children of God. So be courageous little ones!
God doesn’t want us to be afraid of anything because, according to the verse above, He is with us all the way.
This was what he told Joshua when the children of Israel were going out to tackle an enemy. He told them not to be afraid. They believed Him and went out to battle. Guess what happened? They came back victorious. This teaches us courage; so I say again ‘be courageous little ones.’
Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV) Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Be courageous little ones. May the Lord give you victory and eliminate every spirit of fear in you. Amen.
Prayer:
Lord, give me a spirit that is bold and courageous in You. Help me conquer mountains in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Action plan:
Bring every one of your fears before God. Ask Him to show you what to do and obey His instructions.
Declaration:
I am courageous. I know no fear.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Aug 29, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 2 minutes
What do you do when things seem tough? There are times when everything just seems okay. Life is just good. You look at your bank account and smile. There are cars in the garage. The children are doing well, nice school. Your spouse is just so nice. The money keeps rolling into your account. No stress.
During weekends you have all the time with your family. During holidays, you and the family get to travel out of the country.
Your wife comes home on time, prepares a good meal. Your house is really yours and it is fine. It has all things set. The generator, fridge, freezer, microwave oven, dishwasher, washing machine, everything is set.
You look around and you are so grateful and fulfilled, not asking for anything. This looks like that perfect life everybody prays for. Everything is just working right. You have no prayer points except that God should bless your friends and neighbors.
Well, many of us are not there yet. In fact, many are still far from there. Many are at the stage where they are trusting God, praying to God for one thing or another, where they don’t have it all together. In fact, they are at the opposite of life is good.
At such times, one has to hold on, be patient, Be thankful and grateful, keep at what you know works, and give God praise. Be a God praiser. Of all the things that would have made you complain, praise God instead.
Turn it into a praise report. Let your voice be loud and clear in praises. It is when joy withers that prosperity and testimony withers.
When as a married couple, your home seems like nothing is happening. It’s time to turn on the volume of your praise and thanksgiving.
Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, he was met with an impossible situation. He gave thanks and rejoiced. In the feeding of the 4,000 where he only had a lad’s supper, he gave thanks.
When the going gets rough, it’s time to get to thanks and praise. You have enough to complain about. Things are not working but give thanks. When you give thanks, things will begin to open up and yield their abundance.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I give thanks, no matter what happens.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, let me see that despite every thing you can work a miracle of provision
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Php 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Be thankful. Be praise-ful
BIBLE READING FOE THE DAY
Proverbs 27 – 29
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 29, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The art of giving is one that every parent should teach the child. Giving is a core part of our Christian faith and God desires we do it. Seun kept frowning all the way home. He was missing his white sneakers already and kept picturing them on Sunday’s feet; his best sneakers. He had saved to buy them.
There is a type of giving that is sacrificial. Giving we do that is very dear to us. We take something very precious to us and give it to someone who really needs it urgently. This is an aspect in the art of giving.
You don’t give because there is an extra one available somewhere. There is none somewhere. You are not even expecting another one to surface instantly. You give the only one you have and learn to live without that thing.
Sacrificial giving is the height of giving because the purpose for giving is the major idea. That is the goal for the giving.
God demonstrated this type of giving to us when Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. That means that God knows the art of giving. See the Scripture:
John 3:16 ICB “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.”
God gave Jesus up for us. There was no other son. The purpose for giving up Jesus (our eternity) was more important to God at that moment.
Abraham also knew the art of giving. Look at the story of Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac. The son he loved the most. He was ready to give him up for God. Not until God told him to stop, Abraham was ready to go the extra length with Isaac.
You can give your time, efforts, talents, money, knowledge all for the sake of seeing a change in someone’s life, your environment, church, or country; a change that would drastically bring a huge change to lives and society. You should learn the art of giving.
God bless you marvelously. Amen
Prayer point:
Lord, help me to give to change the lives and world around me. Make me a change maker just like you did with Jesus. Help me to learn the art of giving. Amen.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 29, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
It is interesting the extent of love and bonding that exist between parents and their children. It is simply amazing as this bonding remains for years, even after the children became adults.
You often see adults becoming and behaving all over again like babies when they are around their parents.
And that is perfectly okay.
However as marriage approaches, this has to change quickly or else there will be issues in marriage.
The Bible is unequivocal when it declares:
Gen 2:24 (MSG)
Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh.
Does this mean you should not take care of your parents? No. Does this mean you will not take care of them after marriage?
Not really?
What does it mean then?
It means that your husband or wife will take priority after wedding. That is exactly what marriage is.
KJV translation says there must be a leaving and then a cleaving.
Gen 2:24 (KJV)
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Without properly leaving, cleaving will be unachievable. That is the simple reality.
The Bible says they will become one flesh.
There is no intimacy that is higher than that aside the one with God
But before this intimacy can be a reality, there must be proper leaving.
So the question to you as a single is, are your prepared to leave and focus on your marriage?
Are you prepared to disconnect emotionally and focus that emotional energy to the one who will be your spouse?
Are you sure you will not be a Daddy’s girl or Mummy’s boy to the detriment of your marriage? Those are pertinent questions you need to ask.
May God grant you more understanding in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am prepared to focus on my marriage.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to cleave to my spouse
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Leave your parents
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Gen 2
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 28, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We live in a world where there are constant battles, but we are not afraid because we always win. How? Let me start by asking you my own question. Can you believe that heaven has its own armies just like nations here on earth do too? Just for a second, imagine that. Generals, colonels, captains, sergeants – the whole rank and file of the military. Wow.
Who do you think is going to be the head of this army? Your guess is as good as mine. God is the commander of the armies of heaven. The great Grand Commander of the armies of heaven. Remember that He is Elohim, the Eternal Creator. So what are those battles He will not win? They definitely don’t exist. He created all things including the hosts of heaven.
As the Grand Commander of these armies, He makes plans concerning your future and ensuring it is a bright one. He gives you victory in the battles of life.
He sends out units of angels to protect and provide for His children (you and I and every other child of God). Angels are God’s heavenly messengers who obey His every bidding.
“…You are his servants who do want He wants.” Psalm 103:21 ICB.
When Joshua and the Israelites faced their enemies, God sent His angel to help them (Joshua 5:13-14). God helped them in the battles they fought.
Angels also are sent to deliver messages to God’s children. Like the angel told Mary of how she was going to give birth to the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit also equips you with the ability to warfare in the spiritual realm by His presence inside of you. An example of this is when you suddenly get an urge from the Holy Spirit to pray or when you know you need to pray. The Holy Spirit supplies you with the words to engage in the spiritual arena. He gives you the strength for the battles too.
In every battle God is present, watching the turn of events, though the result may be disappointing, knowing that God never loses a battle should be your assurance of victory.
Again, He never loses in battles. When He goes to war, He always wins.
May God fight your everyday battles for you in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer point:
Lord of the Armies of Heaven, I praise and worship You. Thank you for Your dedication to fighting all my battles. I come out victorious and stronger from all my battles because of You God. Thank you.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 28, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Life is a question of power. The moment power is drained and strength is dissipated, life will ooze out slowly and death will set in.
Wealth and riches are a question of power. Poverty is an expression of weakness and lack of strength in finances.
Strength! It determines a lot.
Marriage requires strength. A successful relationship that will translate into a great courtship and eventually a blissful marriage requires strength all the way. When a person lacks strength, all kinds of stuff will happen to the weak emotions. The emotions are as vulnerable to the degree that the soul is weak.
I love the scripture below:
Eph 3:16 (KJV) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
If there is anything you should pray for today, it is strength in your inner man. Strength to navigate the meanders of the marital road and be able to avoid emotional mirages that appear as you journey on that road. All of us will ply that road at one time or the other.
Getting a spouse, getting married, having a glorious wedding, and then a great marriage all require strength. Walking down the aisle is no less a task, there is strength needed every step of the way to avoid distractions that scream at you.
Strength to be a husband! Strength for leadership! Strength to be a wife; to submit and respect! All these are no small feats. You are going to need strength.
God can grant you this strength. Ask for it. Pray for it. And when you have it, it will make all the difference!
I love the Passion Translation:
Eph 3:16 (TPT) And I pray that he would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power.
I pray for you this morning, may supernatural strength flood your innermost being in Jesus name!
Have a great day!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I have supernatural strength as a person
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, increase my strength
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Eph 3:16 (CEV) God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray for strength
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Eph 3
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Aug 28, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
This is the scripture I used in our OIL FOR TODAY prayer time, and when I asked my husband what to write on today, he just pointed out this scripture. I want you to pause and say this to yourself “God is restoring my dignity in marriage”
So I will be bringing out some salient points from this scripture.
I Sam2:8 MSG
He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the structures of earth are God ’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.
I will like to address the wives, using this portion of scripture. You can stand on it, meditate on it and pray it into your life. It is a promise you can claim.
God is able to restore dignity and respect to you as a wife.
In so many marriages, wives don’t have any dignity or respect. Their husbands treat them like they are of little value, (of cause to the detriment of the husband that does so).
The bible says male and female He created them and He blessed them.
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.” God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
Genesis 1:26 – 28 MSG
If you are born again, you are in the image and likeness of God. You reflect God. You are a piece of the Master, a masterpiece. Any husband that treats you less than that is abusing you as a wife
Every husband must seek to push their wives to be all that God created them to be. Your wife should become better, bigger, smarter, now that she is joined to you.
We see husbands pitting their wives down, talking down on them. God is restoring dignity and respect into your life and calling as a wife.
You are meant to be a helpmeet to your husband. No husband is better than his wife in the sight of God. But positionally, the husband is the head of the union. The wife stoops for him to take the lead because that is the order of God. That is what God recognizes and honors.
The husband and wife are co-laborers and joint-heirs with God. When God calls the man, he calls the woman too to assist him.
Some wives respect and dignity have been eroded. Their words are not respected. Their wisdom is not respected. They cannot advise. I feel one way to show respect to wives is to listen and trust God to always put His wisdom into their hearts.
When husbands maintain this attitude, it will even make the wives more sensitive in the Spirit because they will know that demand is been laid upon them by their husband to be spiritually sensitive.
I first heard this from Kenneth Hagin. As spiritual as he was, with several visions of Jesus Christ, he will always check with his wife before he takes any major step. I mean that is humility. Some husbands prefer to spend hours talking to some friends as against talking to their wives.
Whatever has taken away your dignity and respect in your marriage and home, God is restoring it in the mighty name of Jesus.
Restoring wealth is one major way God restore dignity and respect. Even the bible says the wisdom of the poor man was despised because of his poverty.
God will give wives voice and wealth. Mama Adejumo said not every wife can be slapped and sent packing, a husband is gentle when the wife brings in a 6 digit income every month.
I see God restoring every wives’ dignity and respect in Jesus mighty name.
Every wife should develop themself so much that before anything happens in the home, they know. Their words carry weight and God the Holy Spirit uses them.
As a wife, you cannot be respected if you still engage in lying, stealing, you have no integrity, et cetera. You have to exercise the fruit of the spirit as recorded in Gal 5:22
Let God fight and defend you. Hold your peace.
God bless our marriage in Jesus name.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
God is restoring honor and dignity to my marriage.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Oh Lord, restore unto me all that I have lost.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
1 Sam 2:8 (CEV) You lift the poor and homeless out of the garbage dump and give them places of honor in royal palaces. You set the world on foundations, and they belong to you.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Study the word ‘restoration’
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1 Sam 2
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 27, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Today we would be looking at how we can know the peace of God. In the world we live today, everyone is bound to have troubles; including you. It could be problems with making good grades at school, bad friends, sibling rivalry, or even puberty. As a child of God, you should not be worried about any trouble. Acknowledge that you have an issue that you probably don’t know how to handle and need help with it.
Whatever it is, remember the God that you serve – Jehovah Shalom, the Lord your Peace.
Jesus said to the disciples in
John 14:27, “I leave you peace. My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” ICB.
Whatever the problem is, God has the power to solve it. Not only to do it but also to give you His peace as an added advantage. The peace of God is powerful. When you have God’s peace, you are not troubled or worried about the outcome of the situation. As long as you bring God into the situation and receive His peace, you will come out shining.
As he is protecting you, He is also keeping you at peace. He is saying to you “Don’t worry, relax, calm down, smell the roses, look at the sun, smile, laugh, my beloved child. You are safe here with me.
In other words, God is saying, “look at me, me only, not anybody or anything. No matter how bad the problem is, I am bigger and better than that problem. And I have a perfect and permanent solution to rectifying the problem.” By believing these words, you will experience the peace of God.
That is your God, dear child. The one and only true God that as He reveals or you discover one part of his nature, another unfolds and keeps unfolding. All for the glorification of His name. Hallelujah!
How do you receive this peace of God? Believing and trusting in God’s word –
“You, Lord, give true peace. You give peace to those who depend on you. You give peace to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ICB.
So, what is that problem you are facing right now? Call on God. When next a problem arises, remember to call on God first (pray) before you tell or call anyone.
May Jehovah Shalom continue to be with you. Receive peace of God in Jesus Name. Amen.
Prayer point:
I receive the peace in Your name and being. I refuse to let my troubles drown Your power to help me. I receive your peace daily and remain blessed in Jesus name. amen.
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 27, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
God is a God of systems. Structures. Principles. This divinely systemic nature of God helps to regulate the entire universe, nothing missing, nothing broken, or we will all be dead in a few seconds.
He upholds all things by the word of His power. Everything exists in a delicate balance, yet entirely firm and solid. You couldn’t look far before you see the hand of the Lord and His wisdom dotting the horizon of humanity.
Financial structure of this planet is in the hands of the Lord. That is why He said He is the one that gives power to get wealth. Reward systems and structures are in the hand of the Lord and God ensures that every man reaps what he sows. That is why the Bible says God will not forget your labour of love.
Now to my emphasis today:
1Sa 2:8 (MSG)
He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, RESTORING DIGNITY AND RESPECT TO THEIR LIVES— a place in the sun! For THE VERY STRUCTURES of earth are GOD’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation.
You have gone through broken relationships. You have been jilted. You have been disappointed. You have been frustrated. You have been used and dumped. Whatever might have happened to you is not strong enough to thwart you, because today, God is restoring dignity and respect back into your life.
How am I so sure God is going to do that? The very structure of the earth belongs to God, and that structure can be tweaked for your advantage such that your dignity and respect which you think have been eroded are easily restored by God Himself.
The structures of this earth begin to favour you from today in Jesus name.
Fresh hope is being injected into your life right now and every area where it seems dark and out, light is shining forth, bring you into a place of light and explicit knowledge of God and His marital plans for your life.
Remain blessed today!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
My dignity is restored. I receive full restoration.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Pray for restoration.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord ’s, and he has set the world in order. 1 Samuel 2:8 NLT
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Meditate on the word “restoration”
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
1 Sam 2
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Aug 27, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
We started looking at this all-important topic yesterday. “How to relate with in-laws without strife” We looked at 2 scenarios and we will look at more scenarios today.
It is impossible to deal with all possible scenarios but this is just to help you draw wisdom from them and know that you are not alone.
There are no custom-made problems. You just have to draw the needed wisdom and handle your own situation.
Scenario 3
Ronke’s mother-in-law is a good woman and she has heard a lot of good reports from her husband about how she single-handedly raised her son and sent him to the University against all odds. So, naturally, Ronke was happy when Tunji announced that mama was coming to spend the rest of her life with them in the city. Unknown to Ronke was that mama was very petty.
They were all excited to welcome mama to her new home and she loved it in the city. Mama would always express her view and air her opinion which Ronke didn’t mind until it was getting too much.
Ronke likes flowers and would always buy flowers for decorating the sitting room. Mama would ask how much she bought them and would complain that they were too expensive since it was not food. Mama would complain whenever Ronke went to the stores and came home with nylons of household needs. She would ask how much each item cost and Ronke would tell her only for mama to scream of wastage.
Tunji would always wake up early to prepare breakfast because the nature of her job is quite strenuous and need extra sleep to be refreshed of the next day’s job. This mama frowned at seriously and even took offense at.
In other for her son not to do this, mama will wake up early to prepare breakfast. During breakfast, mama would look at her with displeasure and this continued until Ronke decided to be eating out. Tunji noticed this and called his wife to order.
Mama too noticed and all the time something went wrong between mama and Ronke, mama would go inside her room and sob. This was getting on Ronke’s nerves and Tunji was in a dilemma.
What should be done?
To ask a parent-in-law to stay with you has a lot of disadvantages especially a long-term stay. Before they come, the husband and wife should be in agreement. The husband must promise to protect the wife. After much discussion, if there is no other option, she might come to stay, but not after all options have been exhausted. They might look at the option of sending money to her regularly, get her a house help etc
If she would eventually stay, the husband must always be ready to defend his wife at the slightest opportunity. She must not come in between them. She must be made to mind her business and know that this is her son’s matrimonial house.
The husband and wife must be very prayerful and patient to accept her and her excesses.
Scenario 4
Bode’s father-in-law is in a cult. At first, they didn’t know but just felt he was unnecessarily hard on Bode. He showed little or no compassion for them when they first got married and had financial crisis. He had the money but was not just disposed to helping them.
Bode first noticed that each time they took the children for a visit to see grandpa outside town, they will be down with fever. Each time he also comes visiting the same thing happens.
It was difficult for them to stop visiting. Kemi was not happy especially because it would mean not seeing her mother who was more than an angel to them. They also noticed that the father-in-law would always give the children money.
After such gift of money, they would notice a financial hardship at that period. This would last for a while and go after they have prayed. This went on for a while and this usually caused conflict between them.
What should be done?
They should reduce their visits and if confronted for not visiting, they should say they are very busy. They should minimize their visits to only important occasions and should not sleepover. The children should be protected and once given money, it should be given away.
The wife should find other means of communicating with her mum especially since she had been good to them.
The husband should be very prayerful, avoid quarrels with his wife and understand her sentiments. He should try and get his wife to his side on every decision.
They should both pray for divine intervention.
You will always find different situations in different homes. No two situations are exactly the same but may have similar situations. Follow through with wisdom, be patient, mature, and godly.
Remember, you too will be a parent-in-law someday. Every action is a seed.
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
Lord, I am wise as regards all in-law issues.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Father, teach me your ways as regards my in-law issues
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his own wife.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Begin to handle every in-law issues in your marriage with God’s wisdom
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Isaiah 13 – 17
by Rev. Sophia Okunowo | Aug 26, 2021 | Couples
Reading Time: 3 minutes
There are a lot of questions about in-laws that some of us might need answers to. An In-law issue is a very complicated one that one needs a lot of wisdom to address. You love your spouse very much, you don’t want to hurt or offend them, and yet there are issues with his/her parents.
They have been the ones taking care of your spouse before your spouse met you, so they cannot be wrong. They are flawless. They are saints, so does your spouse see them. How do you handle them in such a way that it doesn’t cause frictions? We will try and look into some of these issues.
Scenario 1
She grew up with her mum in Kaduna, who has been taking care of her ever since her dad traveled to South Africa when she was 12 years old. She is the firstborn and has been very close to her mum since then. Now she is married. Her mother does not understand that she is married. They live close to each other and their mum visits them every day. The husband is infuriated and irritated each time he sees her. She even passes the night and spends weeks with them.
Initially, she helps with the daughter. The husband complains a lot about this but the wife feels he is taking things too seriously. The wife, who is a Medical Doctor, is sure divided between her mum and her husband. Her time is divided, her attention, her finances, her care, she is divided in spirit, soul, and body.
Her mum will often take her time talking with her. She enters their room and she has no boundaries whatsoever. She gets on the husband’s nerve so much that they often have open confrontations. Instead of the mother seeing that she is intruding, she sees it as enemies not wanting her to stay with her daughter. The husband has instructed his wife a number of times about her mother but only falls on deaf ears. She claims ‘will I send my mother away?’
What should be done?
This is a clear case of over-familiarity. The bond between the mother and her daughter is so close, more so that she is more or less separated from her husband who has not been home for many years.
The husband should be patient and use a lot of wisdom while being firm. While they are looking for another accommodation far away from where the mother lives, the husband should try and reduce their dependency on her.
The husband should be very strict and put certain instructions and rules in place. The husband should also be very prayerful and very patient. No matter what, he should not allow himself to be provoked.
Scenario 2
The husband is the first born and lived with his parents before he got married. He was to get a house after the wedding but one week became six months.
The wife is not finding it funny but she tries her very best to be a good daughter in-law. The wife leaves her job as a Pharmacist in Abuja to stay with her husband in Ogun state where he leaves with his parents.
The wife doesn’t have a job yet in the new place and she is frustrated. They fight, quarrel and the husband concludes she’s not been patient enough. The husband’s job is not that stable so he doesn’t know whether he will settle in Ogun state, Abuja or outside the country.
The problem is with the mother in-law. She is so attached to the son. Her body language is that they should stay and keep living with them. She behaves like her son’s wife. She takes care of him, asks what he will eat as though the wife does not exist. She competes with the wife over him and for his attention
What should be done?
The husband has to try as much as possible and get a house in where he plans to settle down. Even if it is a room, he needs to take a drastic decision because it is obvious his wife is running out of patience. With that distance, they can reduce their proximity to the mother. They will still remain in touch through regular calls.
The wife should be full of prayers and very patient at this time not to do anything she will later regret. She should be calm and try harder to endure till it’s over.
They also need counsel and should be guided all the way.
Tomorrow, we will consider more scenarios and pick out lessons from them.
God bless your marriage.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
Lord, I receive wisdom to handle all in-law issues.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Father, give me wisdom and discernment to handle all in law issues.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his own wife.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Begin to handle every in-law issues in your marriage with God’s wisdom
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17
by Sylvester Obinna | Aug 26, 2021 | Children
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Do you know God as The Lord our Righteousness? That’s Jehovah Tsidkenu in Hebrew. It’s important you understand this dimension of God.
“But the Lord rules forever. He sits on his throne to judge. The Lord will judge the world by what is right. He will decide what is fair for the nations.
Psalm 9:7-8
God is our righteousness. He decides what is right and fair. You need not worry as a child of His if his decision will favour you or not.
Remember, He said that His plans for you are going to be good. Even if they don’t seem good right now, understanding who God is and how He works should put your mind at ease. He is the Lord our righteousness.
Who is righteous? No one. Not even your parents or grandparents.
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
Sin created a gap between us and God which was bridged by the death of Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ was the only one whose righteousness could cover this gap. Follow carefully as we try to understand the Lord our righteousness.
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Christ died that we might be righteous before God.
Why does God need us to be righteous? God needs us to be righteous at all times so that our fellowship with Him can be pure just like it was at Eden. The way He had planned it.
God also needs us to be righteous so that He can bless us with His presence. When we continually sin, God can’t fellowship with us because of the stain of sin upon us. You might say, Jesus has died for my sake, He took my sins and that’s it. So we can call God the Lord our righteousness.
Jesus died once for you to be in right standing with God, but you have to keep maintaining that which He died for you to have – direct access to the Lord Almighty. Accepting Christ is not the only criterion for having easy access to God, in as much as it is so important, but consciously walking in that righteousness is equally important.
When you have a consciousness of this and practice it constantly, with help from God, that is when you can boldly come before the throne of God to receive mercy and grace. This indeed is the work of the Lord our righteousness.
Another reason for righteousness is that the enemy will not accuse us when we come before the presence of God. How does it happen? You sin and don’t ask for forgiveness. When you start to pray the devil starts to play this sin in your mind, tells you that God won’t forgive you because you are a sinner, thereby discouraging you from praying. But as a child of God who knows that your God is your righteousness, you will do the right thing by quickly confessing your sin and receiving forgiveness.
Prayer point:
God, you are my righteousness. Help me to know that you are ‘the Lord our righteousness’ always. I thank you for this. Amen
Read yesterday’s article here
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 26, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Man is a curious being. Perhaps, extremely curious. Man doesn’t like being oblivious. And this has driven man to quests for knowledge, inventions, and technological advancements.
On the flip side, it has also driven man into the supernatural. Man has studied all available stuff to be studied, from science to psychology and to paranormal terrains. The occult is not exempt.
A man wants to know, period.
As you come to know the Lord, this thirst doesn’t go away. You simply want to know. And the good news is that God is not denying you from knowing. As a matter of fact, He wants you to know the lover more than you want to know. It’s actually the devil that doesn’t want you to know a thing.
However, the first order of what to know is God Himself. It is in your quest and pursuit to know God that you begin to know yourself and as a consequence, you come into the discovery of God’s purpose and intent for your life in terms of your marital choice.
God wants you to know the right person to marry. He doesn’t want you to miss it in any way! It is sure not God’s plan for you to jump experimentally from one person to another searching for love that was never lost. He wants to lead you! The question is, will you be led?
Jer 33:3 (KJV) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Here, God gives you the all-clear-access to ask Him!
I love how the Message Translation put it.
Jer 33:3 (MSG) ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that YOU COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT ON YOUR OWN.’
One of the things you might never be able to figure out on your own is who to get married to. Ask Him, for He promises to answer you and show you this.
Rather than follow your emotions and dabble into a relationship whose story will touch the heart later, patiently follow God and let Him show you His will.
That is where peace is.
That is where favour is.
May God grant you more understanding in Jesus name!
This is me, Pastor Dunamis, saying “I love you, and I’m praying for you, even as you read!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I know the lover to marry.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, teach me how to know the lover to marry.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT)Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray in the spirit
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Jer 33
by Rev Dunamis Okunowo | Aug 25, 2021 | Singles
Reading Time: 2 minutes
David was very much loved of God. He was simply God’s favorite. Just as today, we are all God’s favorites through the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, he fumbled along the way. From adultery, he descended so fast on the lane of iniquity, fueled by lust of the eyes and of the flesh. From the cage of adultery, he dug further into the dungeon of a murderous act.
In one swoop of his signature, he exterminated the life of one of his most loyal men, in a desperate bid to cover up a pregnancy.
And after all of that, our God’s man gathered enough temerity to convert the widow of the man he murdered into his harem. This did not go down well with God.
He had to be confronted, because his present deception will put him into eternal jeopardy.
Out came the fiery man of God, Prophet Nathan, in one of the most dramatic confrontations ever recorded in the scriptures.
David was cornered. But he did something so powerful I want you to see. He did not live in denial or delusion once confronted. He owned up. Psalm 51 was a prayer from the heart of a repentant man.
One verse that struck me however, which inspired this morning’s discourse is this:
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
He knew if the Holy Spirit is gone, he is finished. He must have remembered Saul, and what happened to him when the Holy Spirit departed and took His mercy away from him.
Perhaps in your quest to settle down and get married, your greatest asset is the Holy Spirit.
He is the revealer. He is the teacher. He is the comforter.
Protect your relationship with Him. It is a key to a lasting relationship and marriage. He is the one that will show you who to marry, just as He showed me!
May God grant you more understanding!
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
The Holy Spirit is my greatest asset. I value his friendship.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Thank God for the Holy Spirit. What a great asset!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Pray in the spirit
BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Ps 51
